I am very grateful for my wife and my family…
I am very grateful for my wife and my family…they are a joy from the moment they walk through the door and a blessing to come home to.
When the chime goes off signaling that someone has just walked in the front door, it is Sophie’s queue to either hide or pretend she’s asleep. Sophie gets indecisive and flustered running across the living-room, from one hiding spot to the other. By the time she settles on a hiding spot, whoever has just arrived is standing in the living room witnessing the tail end of the event unfold. Once in a while, Sophie will realize her “seekers” have already made their way into the living-room, too late to find a hiding spot, Sophie simply belly-flops onto the floor and feigns sleep.
Today, Tammy, Jaida, and Malia walked in and we all greeted each other and shared the events of day. After we all shared for a bit, Malia added how she started to dance when she beat out most of her Battle of The Books teammates who happen to be two grade levels above her. Her teacher asked her what she was doing and Malia said she was doing her “Happy dance” (you better believe there’s a video to come). Malia proceeded to perform her “Happy dance” right there in the living-room floor. Tammy and I just watched her and exchanged glances like we often do when we are collectively thinking how fortunate we are to have such an abundance of dorkiness in our family or independently thinking, OMG! This child is soooo like you.
Malia finally stopped dancing, paused, and said, “I love that our family is so happy.”
I’m thinking, how can it not be?
Pink Or Blue
New
Womb
Blue or Pink.
Is it a boy or is it a girl?
You are carrying your baby so low, it’s a girl, definitely. My sister carried her baby low and it was a girl. Are you getting sick all the time? Yes, it’s definitely a girl.
Babies are so much work. Be prepared to be tired all the time. No sleep. Lack of sleep. Tired Baby.
Forget about getting your figure back. That child robbed you of your figure girl. And he, he won’t touch you for weeks. But that’s ok, after what that baby’s will out you through at birth you won’t want him near you. Your sex life is gone. Gone, Baby. Gone.
Were you guys trying to have a baby? I bet you weren’t even trying to have a baby were you. Was it an accident?
As long as it has all its fingers and toes, that’s what people say but you know he wants a boy. What about you? You secretly want a boy or a girl?
He kicks and moves all the time, he’s going to be a handful when he gets out.
You’ll get your body back, don’t worry.
How can you bring a baby into this world?
I had the worst morning sickness. I threw up everything. You’re having a girl. I know it
The dad wanted a boy, that’s what I heard. A baby having a baby.
Depression runs in the family. What if it has down syndrome?
I can’t wait to make pretty pink dresses for her.
Are you sure that you want to have it? You can abort up til the end of the first trimester.
Are you getting a C-Section?
You know it’s against the law to drive your baby home without a car seat.
They already have a boy. The mother wants a girl. Secretly, you know you want a girl right?
Was this an accident? Did you guys plan to have a baby?
I don’t think a little wine will hurt the baby.
Oh well, you got your girl. Dad is disappointed I bet.
Are you getting your tubes tied? You can hardly handle one of them babies.
I bet you’re ready for that baby to come out.
Are you sure it’s his? Good luck getting child support from that loser.
I always wanted to have a baby.
I hated being pregnant? I hated it. It sucks.
You are not one of those mothers who are going to breast feed for a year, are you?
You guys going to try for a boy next time? I will be a better parent than my father.
We need to decide before the first trimester.
What are you going to name it? Didn’t you want to name it after your father?
They will make fun of that name, you know how cruel kids can be.
Babies are a huge commitment, are you guys sure you’re ready?
I hope the baby doesn’t look like his father/mother.
You can’t even take care of yourself but you think you can take care of a baby?
So are you guys getting along better, you know a baby is a big commitment.
You better raise him with your man; you don’t want your baby turning out too feminine, if you know what I mean.
You could give it up for adoption.
Your mother is going to be disappointed that you didn’t name it after her.
You’re in for some long nights. Say hello to sleepless nights.
Babies are God’s gifts to us. Was he just the sperm donor.
In China they kill baby girls.
Sleep now because you are not getting any sleep when that baby comes along.
Sometimes doctors make mistakes; it could still be a boy.
Are you going to have him circumcised?
I thought you never wanted to have kids?
You can kiss your freedom goodbye.
What if you have twins? Oh my God, I could barely handle one; I couldn’t imagine raising two babies! One was hard enough.
Call me if you need a sitter or a break. You’re gonna need some you time.
What if he has his daddy’s temper? Oh God.
Are you going to breast feed? They say formula is better for them.
Do you hope he has blue eyes? As soon as that baby comes out we are gonna go drinkin!
He’s going to be a doctor, a lawyer, or President someday.
Is it a girl or a boy? They kill baby girls in Japan.
Cut the cord, dad.
We have formula if you don’t want to breast feed it.
Do you want to hold her? Lets take a picture. Ooops. Sorry about the flash.
We need to do some tests. We’ll bring you right back to mommy in a minute.
Welcome to the world sweet innocent thing.
Driving Mesquite trees
I was driving my wife to work this morning, something I love doing. The girls were in the back talking about…something. Sophie was also saying…something.
I was thinking about tomorrow and what has been going on the last year of our lives. The needless drama that we’ve been drawn into.
Scooters in the house
I knew it was a mistake to bring Sophie’s Scooter in the house. She’s been riding into things in the house all morning and now she is swinging the scooter around by the handle bars. Big long arches, Back and forth, back and forth, til finally it comes swinging towards my head. I catch it just before it smacks me in the temple (No, I’m not in church, I’m talking about the temple on the side of my head).
Me: That’s it. You can’t be swinging that stroller around you almost hit daddy!
Sophie: I can’t be swinging a scooter around either. Hehehe…
Me: You know what I mean.
Seriously? Because there’s not enough smart alecks in my family.
The good news is: I’m Good. I’m Blessed. I’m Strong.
Whenever my fortitude falters, hope begins to slip, and a seed of doubt which it does, my wife’s
Sophie fell asleep on our bed…
Sophie fell asleep on our bed last night. Like most parents often do with their own children, I lay next to her and marveled at our little gift. I get lost in the moment watching her gently sleep, she is peace personified. I don’t have the heart to move her to her own little bed on the other side of the room.
Sophie is 3, if you have had the pleasure of meeting her you would agree that she is a beyond precious, she is our daily blessing, a miracle that we love to share with each other and others. She was half asleep when she moved towards me and said goodnight handsome, then she scooted over to her mom and said good night mommy. She nuzzles her head into her mother’s bosom, pulling the comforter over her shoulders. These little things of her world are the icing on the cake.
Yesterday, she said bye to her big sister Megan. Sophie said “I’ll see you Friday Megan.” Little does she know that she won’t be allowed to see Megan until Friday after next. Right now I am grateful that she has not yet fully developed the concept of time.
The kids are alright…
Yesterday, my wife Tammy Carley Barrow, was hanging out with our girls in the living room. Just watching. Interacting with our babies, with that genuine and energetic smile we know is uniquely hers; the kind that makes you want to smile as well. I walked in, happy that I had decided to take a break from my studying. Tammy was sitting in the rocker-recliner and glanced in my direction. I sat at the end of the couch and this time she looked up with a more pleased glimpse. I know she likes it when I join them and I love that about her.
Knotts Soak City
Sophie hope is amazing. She has grown so fast.
We purchased Knott’s Berry Farm/Soak City annual passes and to tell you the truth we hadn’t used the Soak City passes that much. I mean we went a few times but not enough to get our money’s worth financially speaking, so to speak. Of course, in memories and family time, in the ways that it really does matter of course we can’t say we didn’t come out ahead. The memories we made for ourselves and our children are priceless.
Sophie messes with daddy
It’s bad enough that I am so immersed in my work that at times, Sophie does not have my full attention. I have doing schoolwork for a good part of the day. I spread out on the living room floor so that I am at least in the same room as Sophie as she watches DVDs, plays, or draws.
Who me? I would never...
This morning, Sophie announces she has to go potty. As I am typing away, I sense her trying to maneuver her way around me and my stuff. Finally decides she needs to step on my Psychopharmacology textbook to get over my stuff.
“Sorry daddy, I stepped on yours book,” She says as she walks on by. She is sooo polite! I love that about her.
“Aawww, that’s ok sweetheart. It’s no big deal. You just can’t step on the laptop. But it’s ok if you step on my book to get around daddy,” I assure her.
“Oooohhh, OK daddy,” She says.
You should know that some nights I fall asleep on the floor so I don’t keep Tammy up with my typing on the laptop. Last night was one of those nights.
Sophie comes back, pokes her head around the corner, and says, “Daddy I sorry I stepped on yours laptop last night when I went potty.”
“What!?” I know she had to have seen the concerned look on my face.
“Hehehehe….Just kidding daddy.” She runs off laughing and screaming all the way to the bathroom thinking I’m chasing her.
Oh no, she did not just mess with me!
